You may never think a documentary film could have aroused so much public enthusiasm in Chinese history. Nowadays everybody is talking about a new 7-part documentary called A Bite of China which was recently broadcast late at night on CCTV I. The documentary describes various gourmet items across the vast Chinese culinary (烹饪) landscape.
According to Taobao, China’s biggest online retail website, just five days after the series began to air, nearly 6 million people went to the site in search of various local specialties, particularly those mentioned in the documentary. More than 7.2 million deals were concluded. A ham producer from Yunnan Province saw his sales grow 17-fold in five days.
However, one can’t help but believe that the documentary’s popularity is probably linked to the endless stream of terrible food security issues that have emerged in recent years. In one well-received article, a netizen wrote, “I wonder how many felt so empty-hearted and sighed after watching the film. Blue-vitriol watered chive, formaldehyde(甲醛) sprayed cabbage, Sudan Red colored salty eggs, restaurants using gutter oil. The list is long…”
A varied and ancient food culture that is famous world-wide and which should have made the Chinese proud ends like this: one can only sigh. Food is the most vital thing in people’s lives. Yet China’s food industry is a typical description of “bad money driving out the good”.The market is huge while the cost of faking and cheating is so low for immoral businessmen; and the punishment is too light. Take the milk industry as an example. Although Sanlu, the company that sold the melamine-adulterated milk powder, was punished, thousands of other dairies didn’t work hard to improve the quality. In order to allow national brands to survive, Chinese authorities are happy to loosen their regulations.
As the documentary shows, people are attracted not to gourmet items like matsutake, a species of rare mushroom grown naturally in remote forests, but to common Chinese dishes like barley, lotus root or tofu. They are what meet our basic needs. This explains why people are so excited about A Bite of China---it is a reminder that there is still a world out there where food is excellent and people have dignity.
1.The underlined word “gourmet items” probably means_______.
A. delicious food B. latest technology
C. beautiful clothes D. great inventions
2.The second paragraph mainly talks about______.
A. the content of the documentary
B. the producer of the documentary
C. The popularity of the documentary
D. the history of Chinese gourmet
3. We can infer from what a netizen wrote in one well –received article that _____.
A. the price of food is too high for many common people
B. the documentary was made by a world-famous Chinese director
C. there is a huge contrast between the ancient food culture and the reality
D. none of the television viewers have a knowledge of the Chinese food culture
4.According to the passage, China’s food industry is full of faking and cheating because_____.
A. there are still so many poor people at the present time
B. the punishment for unscrupulous businessmen isn’t serious enough
C. the Chinese government encourages it to do so
D. the food technology is not so advanced as in developed countries
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
“My Best Teacher Ever” Contest
Students
Tell us why, in 300 words or less, your teacher (present or past) is the best teacher ever.
Assay Topic
Who was/is your best teacher ever? What makes him or her the best?
Participation
The contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 2 through 12.
Entries
Word limit: 300
Essays will be judged on the following criteria by Readers editorial staff:
·originally, creativity—40 percent
·clarity of presentation— 40 percent
·grammar, punctuation, spelling —20 percent
All entries should be word-processed, typed, or hand-printed on 8.5-inch by 11-inch paper or submitted as an attached word or text document via email.
Each entry must include the entrant’s name, age, complete home mailing address, phone number, school name, and grade, as well as the submitting teacher’s name, school name, complete school mailing address and email address.
Contest Deadline
Entries must be postmarked on or before April 26, 2013, or mailed by EST on that date.
Submission
Email your entry with attached essay and entry information (entrant’s name, age, complete home mailing address, phone number, school name, and grade, submitting teacher’s name, email address, school name, and complete school mailing address) to web-contest @ readers.com or mail your entry with attached entry form to this address:
Readers Publishing My Best Teacher Ever Contest
Attn: Anne Flounders 44 South Broadway, 18th Floor White Plains, NY10601
Prizes
One winner will be chosen in each of two categories: elementary (grades 2-6) and secondary (grades 7-12). Winning students will win a $ 50 gift card and may have their essays published on readers.com. Teachers of winning students will win one free classroom subscription to the Readers magazine of their choice. Winning essays will be posted up on signing of a release by students and their agent or guardian. Winning essays will be announced on May 7, 2013, Teacher Appreciation Day, on readers.com, and winners will be notified directly.
1.Essays will be judged on the following criteria EXCEPT _________.
A. punctuation B. handwriting
C. presentation D. creativity
2.If you become a winner, you _________.
A. will be awarded $ 150 in cash
B. will be informed of your success online
C. may have your essay published online
D. can have the Readers magazine for free
3.According to the text, your essay _________.
A. should have a total of 300 words at least
B. can’t have any mistakes in grammar
C. will be judged by some best teachers
D. must be mailed on or before April 26, 2013
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
As the saying goes, man struggles upwards; water flows downwards. Water runs downhill from mountaintops to streams to rivers to oceans. But downhill isn’t the only way that water moves .A new study measures how water travels from country to country for human consumption. This flow isn’t the type we usually think about .These scientists looked at the water used to grow and make the products which get shipped from nation to nation as imports or exports. They call this a flow of “virtual water（虚拟水）”.
We typically think about water as the liquid that flows from a tap. However,92％of the water used by people goes into growing crops，according to water researcher Arjen Hoekstra. He recently studied the hidden travels of virtual water used in products made from things like crops and meats .These products are shipped around the world.
For example, consider a sugary soft drink. Hoekstra estimated that to produce one half-liter of the drink requires between 170 and 310liters of the water—about 95％—is used to grow and process the ingredients(原料).Another 4％goes into the packaging and labeling. In Hoekstra’s calculation, when one country produces a half-liter of soda and sells it abroad，it exports as much virtual water as would fill a large refrigerator．
According to Hoekstra’s new report，dry countries like Israel and Kuwait，both in the Middle East,get the majority of their virtual water from other countries，through imported products. More surprisingly, some wetter countries，like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, also get the majority of their virtual water from other places. That means that most of the water used to grow or produce the products and food consumed in those countries came from other countries.
In the United States most of the virtual water used comes from American sources .In China even less of the water associated with its products.
1.The example of a sugary soft drink in Paragraph 3 is given to show_________.
A. how drinks are shipped
B. how virtual water is exported
C. how virtual water is used
D. how drinks are made
2.In which countries does most part of virtual water come from outside?________
A. Kuwait and the Netherlands
B.China and the United Kingdom
C. America and the Netherlands
D. Israel and America
3.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Crops and Virtual Water
B. Water’s worldwide travels
C. Benefits of Virtual Water
D. Import and Export of Water
4.The passage is most probably a________.
A.science news report B. science fiction story
C. newspaper advertisement D. book review
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
A study has found, spending hours playing violent video games prevents teenagers from their moral growth. It is thought that regular touch to violence and lack of contact with the outside world makes it harder for them to tell right from wrong．They also struggle to trust other people，and see the world from their viewpoints．
Researchers from Brock University in Ontario found that those who spend more than three hours each day in front of the screen are particularly unlikely to have developed the ability to empathize(同情)．
The Canadian researchers surveyed 109 boys and girls，aged 13 and 14，about whether they played video games，which games they liked，and how long they spent playing them．Their findings found that 88 percent of teens said they played games，and more than half admitted to playing games every day．Violent games were among the most popular．
The teenagers also filled in a questionnaire designed to measure their moral development．For example，they were asked how important it is to save the life of a friend．
Previous studies have suggested that a person’s moral judgment goes through four phases as they grow from children and enter adulthood．By the age of 13 or 14，scientists claim young people should be entering the third stage，and be able to empathize with others and take their viewpoints into account．The research found that this stage appeared to be delayed in teenagers who regularly played violent video games．
It is also thought that teenagers who play games regularly did not spend enough time in the real world to learn to take others’ thoughts into consideration．Researcher Mirjana Bajovic said：“The present results indicate that some teenagers, who spent three or more hours a day playing violent video games，are deprived of such opportunities．” he added：“Touch to violence in video games may influence the development of moral reasoning because violence is not only presented as acceptable but is also justified and rewarded．”
They concluded that rather than trying to enforce an ‘unrealistic’ ban on the games，parents and teachers should encourage teenagers to do charity work and take up after-school activities．
1.Why did the Canadian researchers carry out the studies?
A．To develop teenagers’ ability to communicate.
B．To enrich teenagers’ awareness of social life．
C．To discuss how to save the life of a friend．
D．To measure teenagers’ moral development．
2.What does Mirjana Bajovic want to tell us according to his words?
A．Playing games regularly will improve teens’ intelligence.
B．Vio1ent games cost teens social experiences in real life．
C．Playing games makes teens help others.
D．Playing games inspires teens to develop fast.
3.What would be the result of playing violent video games?
A．Getting teens hard to take others into consideration.
B．Causing teens easier to tell right from wrong．
C．Helping teens make more good friends．
D．Making teens easy to get along with．
4. What can be inferred from the text?
A．Playing video games should be forbidden among teens.
B．Parents and teachers should let teens go online．
C．Teens should be encouraged to do more meaningful things.
D．Game designers should be kindly treated and rewarded.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Taking good notes is a time-saving skill that will help you to become a better student in several ways. 1. Second, your notes are excellent materials to refer to when you are studying for a test. Third, note-taking offers variety to your study time and helps you to hold your interest.
You will want to take notes during classroom discussions and while reading a textbook or doing research for a report. 2. Whenever or however you take notes, keep in mind that note-taking is a selective process. 3.
The following methods may work best for you.
●Read the text quickly to find the main facts and ideas in it.
●Carefully read the text and watch for words that can show main points and supporting facts.
● Write your notes in your own words.
●4.
● Note any questions or ideas you may have about what was said or written.
As you take notes, you may want to use your own shorthand(速记). When you do, be sure that you understand your symbols and that you use them all the time. ___5. ___
A. Use words, not complete sentences.
B. There are three practical note-taking methods.
C. You must write your notes on separate paper.
D. First, the simple act of writing something down makes it easier for you to understand and remember it.
E. That means you must first decide what is important enough to include in your notes.
F. You will also want to develop your own method for taking notes.
G. Otherwise, you may not be able to read your notes later.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（不多于3个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Nowadays, many cities are suffering from smog, the short form of smoke and fog. It is especially harmful to children, seniors, pregnant women, smokers and people 1. lung or heart problems.
An important component (成分) of smog is ground-level ozone (地面臭氧). Actually, ozone that is formed naturally in the atmosphere 2. (protect) life from the sun’s damaging rays. At ground level, however, ozone hurts people’s eyes, nose, and throat, which can make 3. more difficult for the body to fight against an 4. (infect). When the amount of ground-level ozone increases, so does 5. number of emergency-room visits.
The other component is fine particulate matter (细颗粒物). The 6. (small) the particle (particulate matter 2.5, PM2.5), the more dangerous it can be. When people take in ozone and particulates from the air, both the blood flow 7. the oxygen supply to the heart will be reduced.
With such unhealthy air quality, some simple ways are recommended for you 8. (reduce) higher risk of health problems. On smoggy days, spend less time outdoors. If you have to get outside, close all your windows 9. you go out. Besides, roll up the windows of 10. car if you are driving.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填人空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
For most of my 15 years, my father usually said very little to my mother and me. He reading the newspaper or football matches on television to talking to his family.
Everything one morning. As soon as I came downstairs to breakfast, I could see that he wasn’t his reserved self. “Can’t wait! FIFA World Cup! Big match! Must see!” I quickly figured out what all the was about: Dad is a big football fan.
I had never been interested in football, Dad’s excitement that morning made me more and more curious. I had to why this sport was making my normally reserved father act like a five-year-old on his first to Disneyland.
Dad decided that we should all eat at a little German restaurant so that we watch the World Cup while eating. Secretly, I think he was hoping to Mum and me into football fans.
The match started a few after we entered the restaurant. As I was eating my meal, a loud noise came from the television. , I looked up at the TV: “Why is that man jumping up and down?” Dad explained: “That’s Papa Bouba Diop, my son. It’s normal for them to jump up and down after they’ve scored.”
Dad almost everything to me. His monosyllabic（单音节的）answers were a thing of the past. I loved the Dad! I watched the rest of the match, becoming more and more . When I told my father that I planned to watch matches with him, he smiled and gave me a wink（眨眼）. At long last we had something in .
has really helped Dad and me get closer and a stronger relationship with each other. Who says football is only about 22 men running after a silly ball?
1. A.liked B. Preferred C.enjoyed D. practiced
2.A. watching B. seeing C. looking D. finding
3.A.happened B. remained C. disappeared D. changed
4.A. formal B. rude C. usual D. varied
5.A. sound B. excitement C. worry D. noise
6.A. and B. though C. so D. but
7.A. look out B. get out C. find out D. take out
8.A. time B. trip C. ticket D. chance
9.A. could B. must C. Should D. would
10.A.become B. return C. turn D. invite
11.A. months B.minutes C. hours D. days
12.A. Surprised B. Disappointed C. Worried D. Frightened
13.A. angrily B. patiently C. unwillingly D. seriously
14.A. answered B. described C. expressed D. explained
15.A. new B. old C. cool D. kind
16.A. boring B. bored C. interesting D. interested
17.A. many B. fewer C. more D. few
18.A. fortune B. common C. identity D. brief
19.A.Television B.Football C. Music D. Match
20.A. form B. make C. keep D. live
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
A high school in England has been issued a new policy to allow students to sleep longer on the mornings. It is introducing a 1:30 –7:00 pm timetable in September. It will become an only school in Britain start lessons in the afternoon. Head teacher Guy Holloway said the new hours should help students get higher grade. He said a research on neuroscience (神经学) show students’ productivity increases unless they can sleep longer in the mornings. Mr. Holloway said, “We want to get students into an environment that they can get quality sleep and their bodies are functioning good.” He adds, “It's about what works in our community.”
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假设你是星光中学的李华，将参加主题为“Let’s Ride Bicycles”的英语演讲比赛。请撰写一份演讲稿，主要内容包括：
1.目前汽车带来的空气污染和交通堵塞等问题。
2.骑自行车的益处（如能环保、有利健康等）。
3.政府启动“公共自行车系统”，人们有条件很方便地使用自行车。
参考词汇：低碳生活（low-carbon life）节能(energy saving)
注意：1.词数：100词左右；
2.演讲稿开头和结尾已给出，请将其抄写在答题卡上且该部分不计入总词数。
Good morning, everyone,
I am Li hua from Xingguang Middle School. The topic of my speech is “Let’s Ride Bicycles”.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for listening!
难度: 中等查看答案及解析